Tourism Ireland will share the findings of its fifth phase of COVID-19 research today (1 December), at a virtual event which will be attended by hundreds of tourism companies from around the island of Ireland and overseas.

Since the pandemic began, Tourism Ireland has been tracking the opinions and behaviours of overseas consumers regarding travel to the island of Ireland. This work has included an extensive programme of consumer research in our main markets – to really understand what overseas consumers are thinking and how their mindset is changing, as we move through the crisis. 

​Publicans have said any decision to keep wet pubs closed while allowing gastropubs and restaurants to reopen next month will be “political” and “based on zero evidence”.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) was reacting to news that the Government is set to reject advice from the State’s public health experts and allow restaurants and gastropubs to reopen in December when the State exits Level 5. The Cabinet is set to approve the plan later today.

British troops famously left through Dunkirk in wartime but the French port is to become a valuable entry point for Ireland into mainland Europe in the wake of Britain’s departure from the EU.

Danish shipping line DFDS is announced on Friday that a new daily service between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk that will bypass Britain and serve as another transit route to Europe for Irish importers and exporters.

EFCEM webinar on UKCA & CE marking - 15 December 2020

To provide clarity on the role of product marking and the end of the transition period for the UK, EFCEM has organised this webinar to ensure that companies are fully up to date with developments. 

Presented by Keith Warren, chief executive and Nick Oryino, technical consultant of the UK, Foodservice Equipment Association the webinar will deliver foodservice equipment related information.

​Sodexo’s Vital Spaces has brought together the company’s diverse expertise to provide employers with a new proposition to help them transform their workplaces through a connected, people-centric approach.
 
The workplace of today is not just about the physical boundaries of an office, but also the employee experience wherever and whenever teams are working. Recent research from Ibec. in which businesses were questioned about HR trends arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, show that hybrid working tops the list of people-led priorities for 51% of Irish organisations.  

The monthly Foodservice Sector Sentiment Index for November 2020 has been published.  The survey conducted with both suppliers and end users across the foodservice sector aims to provide a snapshot of attitudes towards current marketplace conditions and the economic climate.

Covering such areas as employment, team management, state support, and industry perceptions, the index gives a unique perspective on how the hospitality supplier sector sees itself and how it views the outlook for the industry over the short to medium term.

​A report on the impact of anti-virus restrictions that was prepared for the Press Up hospitality group claims taxpayers could face an industry compensation bill of €1 billion if the company wins its legal challenge against the State over the latest round of measures.  The group of 55 restaurants, bars and hotels run by businessmen Paddy McKillen Junior and Matt Ryan is suing the Government seeking compensation for the shutdown of the hospitality sector and a High Court declaration that the rules are an unconstitutional interference in its business.

Following on from the last EFCEM State of Market Survey issued in June, EFCEM have requested IFSA Catering Equipment Operator members to complete the latest edition.  Taking part will provide a comparative understanding of the market and highlight any developments now that most European countries are in a second lockdown. 

Robert Troy, T.D, Minister of State for Trade Promotion at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has expressed his support for the safe return of exhibitions under a Level 2 public health guideline. 

Replying to to the IEOA on twitter, Minister Troy reiterated his support for the work of the IEOA in formulating detailed protocols which will enable exhibitions to operate safely and within government health guidelines.

​Mount Charles, leading catering and facilities management company, has announced a new contract with the Department of Health, based in Miesian Plaza on Baggot Street, Dublin.  
 
The contract sees the outsourcing giant provide catering services to all occupants situated over the building’s seven floors, including the Department of Health, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance.